Setback for Bahrain Victorious: Antonio Tiberi forced to leave Tour of the Alps just 2.5 weeks before Giro start

There was some confusion about why Tiberi abandoned the race. The number five in last year's Giro d'Italia surprisingly lost 14 seconds on day 1 in a punchy finish. This was followed by a crash in the peloton on day 2 when entering a dark tunnel. Shortly after that crash, news came of the abandonment of Tiberi and Salvatore Puccio of INEOS Grenadiers. Coincidence?

Yes, because Bahrain Victorious announced shortly afterward via its official channels that its leader had abandoned due to a gastrointestinal illness. According to Tutto Bici, Tiberi complained of breathing problems and was coughing a lot on the first day. He has 2.5 weeks to recover and remains in top form for the Tour of Italy.

"The Tour of the Alps will be a crucial step in my preparation for the Giro d'Italia," Tiberi said ambitiously on Sunday before the start of the race, speaking to IDLProCycling.com, among others. "I want to go to the Giro in top form, and I finished third here last year. I would like to do better this time. That doesn't necessarily mean winning the GC; I'll also be satisfied with a stage win and another podium finish."

It all sounded very ambitious, also when Tiberi talked about his current mental and physical state. "Last year, I was still discovering who I was and what I could do as a rider. It was the first year the team gave me the responsibility of being a leader. Now I'm more ambitious because I know my potential better." Tiberi won the young rider's jersey in his Giro debut last year and finished fifth overall. He is also the designated leader for Bahrain Victorious in May.

Bram van der Ploeg (Twitter: @BvdPloegg | email: [email protected])